What according to you was the inspiration behind your last trek? Did you just dream of reaching the top of the hill, admire the pristine beauty, camp under the starry nights and pose like SRK with a backdrop of those mighty mountains? Well, if yes, let’s go beyond all of this! Because this is the world different from the actual world, when you’re done with admiring that beauty and posing inside your camps, try taking a trek to a summit of the mysterious Roopkund Lake which hid horse and human skeletons for the last few centuries. This is a summit which holds together the snoozy mountains, serious secrets and stunning serenity. And for all those who haven’t read or heard about this challenging trek to the skeleton lake at Roopkund, read on.

Are you wondering how those skeletons got there?

Way back in 1942, the skeletons of this lake were discovered by some Nanda Devi ranger. The daring Nat Geo team retrieved 30 skeletons along with rings, spearheads and slippers. The carbon dating suggested that those skeletons lay there at the bed of the lake since 800 AD. A popular explanation through DNA matching revealed that a group of 200 pilgrims, who were traveling from Maharashtra to Nanda Devi Raj Jat, became victimised by an avalanche. They seemed to have lost their way and perished in the High Himalayan range during their return journey post the Battle of Tibet in 1841.

Source Picture:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roopkund

Roopkund Trek – Why we insist you to go for it

Coming back to the trek for now, let’s check out some realistic reasons to plan a trek to the Roopkund Mystery River.

For your unadulterated love for the stunning Himalayas

With a 360 degree view of the grandiose snow-covered peaks, its outright placidity and a flawless commemoration of victory, this climb upwards the Roopkund Lake can definitely be a journey of your lifetime! The entire trekking experience will bring you closer to your inner self. The grandeur of the mountains will humble you and the emptiness will urge you to peak into your inner peace.

For offline socialising and making friends for real

Rarely would you find a free place, which is different from the world around you. At 16,000 feet, when you lie at the lap of nature, you would come across some fellow human beings to socialise, not through social media sites like Facebook, for a change. You will get to hear real life stores, experiences and share some talks to remember throughout your life.

Those mountainous frames will be etched in your memory forever

At the Roopkund Trek, you get some stunning, real frames to capture. Gleaming bright whites of snow, sky-kissing mountains, sun peeping through the tress that seem to kiss the clouds, starry sky and the lush green meadows lounging till the end of the horizon, there’s never an end to it. You will definitely come back with some lifetime photos to boast of and sell.

Information on the place – Roopkund

Where it is: Roopkund is a glacial lake which is perched between the virgin forests of Nanda Devi National Park in the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand. The lake is situated at a height of 16,500 ft and is overlooked by the snow-clad peaks of the Trishul massif and Nanda Ghunti.

How to reach: Kathgodam – Lohajung – Wan – Bedni Bugyal – Bhagwabusa – Roopkund. Kathgodam is the closest rail station to the base camps of Roopkund trek. The last motorable place Lohajung is 221 km form Kathgodam. You can hire a private cab at 4500 INR from Kathgodam and you may get to Wan village, yet another base camp for Roopkund.

Difficulty level: This trek is known as the third best trek to the Himalayas and you need optimum level of stamina and fitness. Trekking to 16,500 feet above sea level and 3,500 feet higher than normal breathable air isn’t a matter of joke. Oxygen level squanders up to 50% of the normal which might lead to altitude sickness. You need an incredible zeal for scaling the mountains!

Alright! Now that you’re well sorted about the creepy and risky Roopkund trek, when are you leaving? Do share your experiences once you’re done!